Page 571 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

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SABACHTHANI. A saying of Jesus while on the SACKBUT . A m u s i c a l i n s t r u m e n t ; s o m e
cross. [See Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachtani.] commentators say the sackbut was a bass trumpet with
SABAOTH (hosts). “Lord of sabaoth” is the same as a slide, like the modern trombone (Da. 3:5, 7, 10, 15).
“Lord of hosts” (Ro. 9:29; Ja. 5:4). [See God.] [See Music.]
SABBATH (rest). God first gave the sabbath as a duty SACKCLOTH. A course, dark cloth made of goats’
to man in the book of Exodus. It is true that the sabbath hair. It was worn by Jews to show mourning and
originated at the completion of the creation (Ge. 2:1-3), repentance (2 Sa. 3:31; 2 Ki. 19:1; Mt. 11:21; Re. 11:3).
but that was God’s rest, not man’s. There is no record in [See Repentance.]
Genesis that God gave the sabbath to man, and there is SACRAMENT. Originally, the Latin word
no record of men keeping the sabbath before Israel in “sacramentum” referred to an oath, or to a ceremony
the wilderness. Nehemiah 9:13-14 plainly states that the producing an obligation. In present religious usage,
sabbath was first given to Israel. Seventh-day Adventists sacrament refers to an outward and visible sign of an
teach that men kept the sabbath from the days of Adam inward and spiritual grace. The term sacrament is used
onward, but this is based on Ellen G. White’s by the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, and
imagination and is contrary to the Bible’s own record. certain Protestant denominations to describe their
Exodus 31:12-18 says the sabbath was a sign between ordinances. Roman Catholicism has seven sacraments—
God and Israel. If mankind in general had been given baptism, eucharist, confirmation, marriage, holy orders,
the sabbath following creation, it could not have been a penance, and last rites. Those who describe baptism and
sign for Israel. The sabbath belongs to the nation Israel the Lord’s Supper as sacraments usually believe these
and will be an eternal possession of Israel (Ex. 31:16). ordinances are more than symbolic ceremonies.
This explains why the prophets say that Israel will keep “Today Roman and Anglican Catholics, as well as
the sabbath even after the kingdom of Christ is Eastern Orthodox, regard the sacraments as effective
established on earth (Is. 66:23). It also explains why channels of God’s grace and give them a central place
Jesus Christ mentioned the sabbath in His prophecies of in the worship of the church.
the Tribulation (Mt. 24:20). The Jews in Israel keep the “Luther developed a sacramental teaching similar to
sabbath today. N.T. Teaching on the Sabbath: The the Catholic one, but regarded Christ’s presence as
apostles only mentioned the sabbath three times: (1) purely spiritual. For this reason, he rejected the
The sabbath is a symbol of salvation rest in Christ (He. medieval doctrine of transubstantiation and substituted
4). (2) The N.T. believer is not bound to keep the what has come to be called ‘consubstantiation.’ Christ
sabbath (Col. 2:9-17). (3) The N.T. believer has liberty is said to be present alongside the consecrated
elements, not actually in them ...
in the matter of holy days (Ro. 14). Those who teach
that the sabbath is binding upon N.T. believers are “Zwingli developed a more radical sacramental
theology, claiming that the signs were of merely
contradicting what the apostles taught. Why did Jesus symbolic value and thus made no difference to
keep the Sabbath? He kept the sabbath for the same anyone’s faith. ...
reason He kept all the other Mosaic laws. He also “Calvin’s view, enshrined in the Thirty-Nine Articles of
observed the Jewish feasts. Jesus did these things religion and the Westminster Confession of Faith, is the
because He was a Jew, born under the law, that He most widely accepted in traditional English-speaking
might fulfill it and redeem His people from its penalty Protestantism. It lies somewhere between that of
and bondage (Ga. 4:4; Ro. 9:5). [For evidence that the Luther and Zwingli. Calvin rejected both Luther’s
first churches worshipped on Sunday see Seventh-day doctrine of consubstantiation and Zwingli’s theology,
Adventism, Sunday.] instead developing the view that the sacraments are
SABEANS (leading into captivity). People of Sheba sure witnesses of God’s grace, guarding against false
teaching, and also effectual signs, confirming and
or Seba (Job 1:15). strengthening the faith already in us” (20th Century).
SABTAH, SABTA (a stroke, breaking). Ge. 10:7; 1 “The Reformed [Protestant] creeds did not get free
Ch. 1:9. from Rome as regards what they still called
SABTECHA, SABTECHAH (greatest stroke). Ge. ‘sacraments’—a Babylonish term. For sacramentum was
10:7; 1 Ch. 1:9. the Latin word for a mystery of the pagan religion. ‘The
SACAR (reward, hire of labor). 1 Ch. 11:35. grand distinguishing feature of the ancient Babylonian
system was the Chaldean mysteries, that formed so
essential a part of that system’ (Hislop, p. 4). ‘Even in

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 571